No copyright infringement intended, characters belong to L J Baker who has done a marvelous job in painting a world and beautiful people within. My only complaint is that it ended too fast and sudden and that I haven't got the closure I needed. So here, my "fix-it fic", taking place right after the curtain closed on Lady Knight by L J Baker. TW: mentions rape, not my fault. It happened in the book.
The ride to Gast took longer than Riannon had anticipated. The rain kept pouring down and the road was full of pebbles that made the horses trip and the litter shake. Riannon cast worried looks to the trembling carriage and hoped that Eleanor wasn't too hurt inside. When they finally reached Gast, the Vahldomne was soaked to the bone and she once more felt grateful that Eleanore was at least dry inside the litter.
Riannon's home in Gast had been abandoned for quite some time but she sent her men in to lit fires and start warming the place up. Then she went forward and opened the flap to look at the woman within the litter. Eleanor's eyes were closed and she looked very pale against the dark shade of her dress. The cheeks which were usually filled with warmth held little life and Riannon felt her insides clench in anger and worry. She wished she could have killed Ralph twenty times over. Seeing Eleanor like this made her feel like she hadn't done enough, she wanted to ride back and kill Geoffrey as well. Anybody who could possibly be responsible had to pay. Riannon's vengeful thoughts dispersed when Eleanor said her name.
"Nonnie?" She said, trying to wet her lips even though her mouth was dry. Riannon reached out and grasped her hand gently.
"I'm here, lady," she said and gently pulled Eleanor toward the opening of the litter, "we have arrived, love."
"I'm still so cold," Eleanor said quietly.
"I've sent the men in to light the fires," Riannon replied, "and Agnes to draw you a bath in one of the bedrooms."
Eleanor nodded, any words escaping her. She was tired, cold and overwhelmed. The mere presence of Riannon was the only thing that was keeping her from breaking down completely. She was grateful when Riannon helped her through the big front doors and through the house, up the stairs and into what would, for now, be her bed chamber. Eleanor barely noticed her surroundings as Riannon sat her on the bed, what she did smell however was the sweet smelling water that Agnes had prepared for her.
Riannon had sent Agnes to prepare a room for herself now and had every intention to take care of Eleanor herself. She kissed her lady's cheek and started slowly helping her with her clothes. Most of them were dry but it didn't stop Eleanor from shiver.
"You will feel better once you are in the water, love," Riannon said even as it hurt her to remove the last pieces of clothing that was keeping her lover warm. When she reached for the very last item, Eleanor's chemise, Eleanor paled even further.
"No," she said and held it down. Riannon looked at her and cursed silently. The proud creature that had once let Riannon see every part of her was now too ashamed to even get naked for a bath.
"The shame is not on you," Riannon said softly but she had stopped tugging on the fabric. She looked down but the fabric reached over Eleanor's knees, she could see nothing. Riannon was almost starting to fear whatever it was that the chemise was hiding; once again she wished she had twisted her sword when it had been buried in Ralph's gut rather than just pull it out.
"Now you know what it's like," Eleanor said with a half teasing grin, "when the one you're sharing your body and bed with, refuses to take off their chemise." Her grin turned into a frown from the pain her split lip was still causing but Riannon appreciated the small sign that Eleanor would eventually be okay.
Riannon stayed quiet for a moment, going through her options. The thoughts that had planted themselves in her head made her dizzy with fear but she wanted to do this.
"Nell," she said and waited until her lady had both eyes on her, "if I take my clothes off, will you do the same?"
Eleanor nodded and watched with fascination as her warrior stood up and slowly took off her dripping clothes. She was still cold and pulled the blanket closer around her shoulders, but even though she was still cold when staring into Riannon's eyes, she knew that there would come a time when she would again be okay.
When Riannon stood before her in just her shirt and an almost scared look in her eyes, Eleanor stood up on shaky legs and pulled her chemise over her head. She wanted to clasp her hands over her body and shield herself from Riannon's glare. She could feel Riannon's stare as if touch. She knew what her body looked like. She could feel it.
Riannon's gaze was calm but inside she was fuming. Eleanor had big bruises covering the top of her hips and she saw that there was dried blood on the inside of her thighs. Riannon wanted to punch a wall but she forced herself to remain calm. She needed to be calm for Eleanor. But her heart ached when she noticed how Eleanor tried to be considerate of her feelings even when she was feeling bad. The lady stood up and gave her back to Riannon, then Eleanor stepped into the tub and sat down, leaving enough space for Riannon to sit down behind her.
Riannon held her breath as she pulled her shirt over her head. It felt weird to be completely bare, wrong even. But she wanted to do this for Eleanor. She sat down in the tub behind her, the water was so warm. She was thankful that the lady in front of her didn't once turn around but when Eleanor was still shivering and clearly hesitant and getting closer, Riannon couldn't stand it. She placed her hands gently on Eleanor's shoulders and pulled her backwards to her chest.
When Eleanor was finally cradled in the strong arms she craved so badly. She fought hard not to start sobbing. Her distress was so all consuming that she barely registered that she was finally pressed against the muscular chest she had dreamt of so many times. She tried to remind herself that soon she would be well enough to properly enjoy it. But for now she leaned her head against Riannon's shoulder and let herself drift off to sleep as Riannon slowly started to wash her.
Riannon hadn't realised what she had been missing, not allowing herself to be completely vulnerable near Eleanor. It was scary and thrilling to have her deformed upper body pressed against Eleanor's soft back. She softly and almost feather like let her hands drift over Eleanor's body. She took the soap and applied it on her hands, trying to be as gentle as possible but also wanting to wash that man off of her. She also washed Eleanor between her thighs, but stopped when she noticed Eleanor whimper in what she believed was pain. Riannon breathed through gritted teeth and knew that she had never hated anyone as she hated Geoffrey and his son at that very moment. She hoped that they would get word that Ralph had died first thing in the morning.
"Nell," she said when she had finished washing Eleanor, "it's time to sleep, love."
Riannon didn't know if Eleanor was awake or half asleep, but the woman stood up and with Riannon's help got dry and underneath the covers of the bed. There wasn't a single thought in Riannon's mind to leave Eleanor where she was. Instead she grabbed a clean and dry shirt from the cabinet at the end of the room and laid down next to her lady. She pulled Eleanor close and let sleep come for her.
